Dynamic multi-layer therapeutic magnetic device

ABSTRACT

A multi-layer magnetic device comprising two or more layers of containing magnets or ferromagnetic material to be applied to areas of the body of a mammal in which the first layer has one or more protrusions and the second layer has one or more receiving zones that are positioned to align with the protrusions of the first layer. At least a portion of the first layer has a first magnetic pattern, and at least a portion of the second layer has a second magnetic pattern such that, when the protrusions are aligned with the receiving zones, at least one region of the first magnetic pattern faces at least one region of the second magnetic pattern of like polarity thereby repulsing one another.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation application to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/646,648, filed Oct. 5, 2012, which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/545,013, filed Oct. 7,2011, which application is incorporated herein by this referencethereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of magnetic therapy devices, and inparticular to the field of consumer magnetic therapy devices thatproduce a multitude of magnetic flux lines at the application surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a multi-layer magnetic device comprising two or morelayers of containing magnets or ferromagnetic material to be applied toareas of the body of a mammal in which the first layer has one or moreprotrusions and the second layer has one or more receiving zones thatare positioned to align with the protrusions of the first layer. Atleast a portion of the first layer has a first magnetic pattern, and atleast a portion of the second layer has a second magnetic pattern suchthat, when the protrusions are aligned with the receiving zones, atleast one region of the first magnetic pattern faces at least one regionof the second magnetic pattern of like polarity thereby repulsing oneanother.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of one embodiment of a therapeutic magneticdevice in keeping with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 1 taken alongcenterline thereof showing the protrusions 106 of the first member 100aligned with the receiving zones 206 of the second member 200 in keepingwith one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a device similar to that of FIG. 6,except that the device additionally comprises a sheet 302 between thefirst and second members in keeping with another embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the first member 100 of the device of FIG.1.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the first member 100 of FIG. 4 takenalong centerline thereof.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the second member 200 of the device of FIG.1.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the second member 200 of FIG. 6taken along centerline thereof.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of another first member 100 in keeping withone embodiment of the present invention wherein the protrusions 106 andthe receiving zones 206 are a combination of triangle and diamondshapes.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the first member 100 of FIG. 8 takenalong centerline thereof.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a second member 200 configured to alignwith the first member 100 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the second member 200 of FIG. 10taken along centerline thereof.

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of another first member 100 in keeping withone embodiment of the present invention wherein the protrusions 106 andthe receiving zones 206 are a combination of circumferential and radialshapes.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the first member 100 of FIG. 12taken along centerline thereof.

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of a second member 200 configured to alignwith the first member 100 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the second member 200 of FIG. 14taken along centerline thereof.

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of another first member 100 in keeping withone embodiment of the present invention wherein the receiving zones 206are recessions that do not continue through the entire thickness of thesecond member 200 and, as just one example of such an embodiment, form acheckerboard of recessions for aligning with a matching checkerboard ofprotrusions 106 on the mating surface 102 of the first member 100.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the first member 100 of FIG. 16taken along centerline thereof.

FIG. 18 is a top plan view of a second member 200 configured to alignwith the first member 100 of FIG. 16.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the second member 200 of FIG. 18taken along centerline thereof.

FIG. 20 is a top plan view of another first member 100 in keeping withone embodiment of the present invention wherein the magnetic patternimposed thereon is non-homogeneous.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the first member 100 of FIG. 20taken along centerline thereof.

FIG. 22 is a top plan view of a second member 200 configured to alignwith the first member 100 of FIG. 20.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the second member 200 of FIG. 22taken along centerline thereof.

FIG. 24 is a top plan view of another first member 100 in keeping withone embodiment of the present invention wherein the magnetic patternimposed thereon is a different non-homogeneous pattern.

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the first member 100 of FIG. 24taken along centerline thereof.

FIG. 26 is a top plan view of a second member 200 configured to alignwith the first member 100 of FIG. 24.

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of the second member 200 of FIG. 26taken along centerline thereof.

FIG. 28 is a top plan view of another first member 100 in keeping withanother embodiment of the present invention wherein there are more thantwo separate layers.

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view of the first member 100 of FIG. 28taken along centerline thereof.

FIG. 30 is a top plan view of a second member 200 configured to alignwith the first member 100 of FIG. 28 and further having protrusions toalign with further members.

FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view of the second member 200 of FIG. 30taken along centerline thereof.

FIG. 32 is a top plan view of a third member 300 configured to alignwith the first member 100 of FIG. 28 and/or the second member 200 ofFIG. 30.

FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view of the third member 300 of FIG. 32taken along centerline thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appendeddrawings is intended as a description of presently-preferred embodimentsof the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms inwhich the present invention may be constructed and/or utilized. Thedescription sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps forconstructing and operating the invention in connection with theillustrated embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the sameor equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by differentembodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spiritand scope of the invention.

One embodiment of the present invention comprises two (2) separate anddistinct layers of flexible, ferromagnetic material combined into asmall planar material to be applied to areas of the body. The firstlayer is the “cast” layer in which a number of protrusions are formed onone side; the second layer is the “die-cut” layer having a number ofholes that match the arrangement of protrusions of the cast layer.Before the layers are aligned and assembled, each layer is separatelymagnetized. The two layers are then assembled with either the two southpoles or the two north poles facing each other. Once the layers arealigned and pressed together, the protrusions from the cast layer andthe application surface of the die-cut layer form a surface magneticpattern that has both polarities.

One of the key fabrication advantages of this approach is that themagnetization of each layer can be induced after casting or stamping butbefore pressing the two layers together. Another key fabricationadvantage of this approach is that it is readily amenable to a virtuallyunlimited number of protrusion and receiving zone variations in thechoice of number, size, shape, and proximity of such protrusions. Thus,a variety of flux line configurations may be produced simply by varyingthe number, size, and placement of the protrusions and receiving zones.

One of the key functional advantages in some embodiments of the presentinvention is that the forced like-pole juxtaposition of members 100 and200 may produce magnetic fields that extend considerably deeper into theuser's body. Also, the placement and configurations of the protrusionsand recesses themselves can be fashioned to increase the overall depthof penetration once applied to the surface of the body. A further keyfunctional advantage is that the repulsive forces between two layersonce assembled will act to form a magnetic flux pattern that is dynamic,increasing and decreasing as the user compresses and then releases thedevice while in use.

For example, using this magnetic configuration in shoe insoles, as theuser applies his/her weight to the insole, the weight forces the layerstogether, closing the air gap created by the magnetic repulsion betweenthe two layers, thereby resulting in a fluid-type flux “pumping.”

Example 1

Thus, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 7, one embodiment of the presentinvention involves a therapeutic magnetic device 50 for use on a humanor an animal comprising a first member 100 and a second member 200. Thefirst member 100, which may be a thin, flexible sheet material,comprises a mating surface 102 and distal surface 104. The matingsurface 102 of the first member 100 comprises a number of protrusions106.

The second member 200, which likewise may be a thin, flexible sheetmaterial, comprises a mating surface 202 and a distal surface 204. Themating surface 202 of the second member 200 has one or more internaledges 205 that define a plurality of receiving zones 206 for aligningwith the plurality of protrusions 106. The receiving zones 206 may beorifices or may be recesses, depending on the intended application andother dimensional parameters of the first and second members 100 and 200and the desired magnetic field gradients at the application surface.

The first member 100, or at least a portion of it, is induced with amagnetic pattern 108. The second member 200, or at least a portion ofit, is similarly induced with a magnetic patterns 208 such that, whenthe protrusions 106 are aligned with the receiving zones 206, at least aportion of the first magnetic pattern 108 faces at least a portion ofthe second magnetic pattern 208 in such a manner as to have likepolarities facing each other thereby producing a repulsive magneticforce on one another.

The result is a therapeutically effective plurality of magnetic fluxlines at an application surface 204′ of the device 50, which in someembodiments, is distal surface 204 of the second member 200. It is alsointended, in some embodiments, that a number of characteristics of thisplurality of magnetic flux lines will vary as the distance L between themating surface 102 of the first member 100 and mating surface 202 of thesecond member 200 varies.

One benefit of some embodiments of this innovation is that themagnetization processes are greatly simplified. The first member 100with its plurality of protrusions 106 may be placed in a magnetic fieldof a desired magnetic pattern 108 so as to impose this magnetic pattern108 upon the protrusion-bearing mating surface 102. The second member200 with its plurality of receiving zones 206 may be placed in aseparate magnetic field of a desired magnetic pattern 208 so as toimpose this separate magnetic pattern 208 upon the mating surface 202 ofthe second member 200 with its receiving zones 206. Then, by mating theplurality of protrusions 106 on the first sheet with the plurality ofreceiving features 206 on the second sheet, portions of the two magneticpatterns 108 and 208 come into repulsive magnetic communication with oneanother.

Another benefit of other embodiments of the present invention is thatthe magnetic patterns and interactions created by the aligning layersproduce at an application surface a therapeutically beneficial pluralityof magnetic flux lines in multiple directions in a predeterminedpattern. And, in some embodiments, this plurality of magnetic flux linesis dynamic, varying in strength, and sometimes even in direction anddepth, as the layers are compressed despite the repulsive forces actingbetween the layers.

The first member 100 may be forced into alignment with the second member200 but the supporting structures on either side of the first and secondmembers 100 and 200. Although not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, first member100 may be supported by a larger structure, such as a casing, an insolefor insertion into a shoe, or a sheet or other cloth portion of ablanket or the like (not shown in the Figures). Second member 200,likewise, may be supported by a larger structure, such as a connectedportion of the casing, a second layer of an insole, or a second sheet orcloth that comprises a blanket. In such embodiments, first member 100 isforced up against the second member 200.

Once the two members 100 and 200 are aligned as discussed above andforced against one another by such larger structure, the two facingmagnetic patterns repel each other forcing the first and second members100 and 200 apart, whether greatly or only slightly. In either case, thedynamic nature of the plurality of magnetic flux lines created by theserepulsive forces may be therapeutically significant at the applicationsurface and deep within the tissues of the user.

Alternatively, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first member 100 maybe press fit onto the second member 200, once the two members arealigned as discussed above, or they may connected by an adhesive or thelike such that first member 100 may still move relative to second member200 but still remain connected to, or at least aligned with and inmagnetic communication with, the second member 200. Furtheralternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, the first and second members 100 and200 may be separated from one another by using an elastic sheet that mayfurther facilitate or enhance the ability of first member 100 to moverelative to second member 200 during use.

The protrusion/receiving zone combinations in some embodiments can actas a plurality of protruding keying features on the first sheet with aplurality of receiving keying features on the second sheet. The matingof these features then act as a key and keyhole locking in the intendedorientation of the first member 100 relative to the second member 200,causing at least one region of the first magnetic pattern 108 to face atleast one region of the second magnetic pattern 208 of like polarity inrepelling fashion. As the distance between the first and second sheetsvaries, the therapeutically effective plurality of magnetic flux linesproduced thereby at an application surface of the device 50 will vary.

In some embodiments, the first and second members 100 and 200 may beseparated by a non-magnetic material 400, such as an elastomer,adhesive, or the like, as shown in FIG. 3. This non-magnetic material400 may be used to help maintain the two members 100 and 200 in properrelationship, reduce wear and tear, and/or maintain members 100 and 200at a predetermined range of distance between one another in order tomodulate the magnetic flux lines at the application surface.

Example 2

FIGS. 8 through 11 show another embodiment of the present inventionwherein the protrusions 106 and the receiving zones 206 are acombination of triangle and diamond shapes. Additionally, although thedevice 50 of FIGS. 1 through 7 and 8 through 11 are illustrated ascircular, the device 50 could just as easily be configured into anyshape. In fact, triangular, square, and hexagonal shaped devices couldbetter cover a two-dimensional region, such as a pad, blanket, insole,or the like. Such other shapes are fully and equally contemplated asalternative embodiments within the present invention.

Example 3

Similarly, shown in FIGS. 12 through 15 is another embodiment of thepresent invention wherein the protrusions 106 and the receiving zones206 are a combination of circumferential and radial shapes, and shown inFIGS. 16 through 19, is still a further embodiment of the presentinvention wherein the receiving zones 206 are recessions that do notcontinue through the entire thickness of the second member 200 and, asjust one example of such an embodiment, form a checkerboard ofrecessions for aligning with a matching checkerboard of protrusions 106on the mating surface 102 of the first member 100.

Examples 4 and 5

Although the members 100 and 200 of the embodiments discussed so farhave been illustrated as having generally homogeneous magnetic patters,as shown in FIGS. 20 through 28, other embodiments of the presentinvention may include any number of other non-homogeneous patternsimposed on the first and second members 100 and 200, provided that atleast some portion of the magnetic pattern 108 on the first memberencounters a portion of the magnetic pattern 208 on the second member200 in such a way that a repulsive magnetic force is exerted between thetwo layers.

Example 6

In some embodiments, there may be further members or layers, in whichthe second member 200, or even the first member 100, may similarly alignwith the additional layer or layers that exhibit similarly opposingmagnetic patterns 108 and 208, each layer comprising protrusions and/orreceiving zones that may facilitate the above-mentioned alignment andengage in magnetic communication with other layers so as to product arepulsive force and/or a plurality of magnetic flux lines at anapplication surface of the device 50.

Thus, FIGS. 29 through 33 illustrate just one example in keeping withthe present invention in which more than two layers are aligned. Asillustrated in FIG. 32, the second member, in addition to havingreceiving zones 206 for receiving protrusions 106 from the first member100, may also have protrusions 207. These protrusions 207 may then bereceived by receiving zones 306 of a third member 300. Indeed, oralternatively, the protrusions 106 of the first member 100 may extend bereceived by receiving zones 306 of a third member 300 as illustrated inFIG. 31.

As a result, magnetic repulsion of faces 102 and 202 forces the firstmember 100 and second member 200 apart and magnetic repulsion of faces204 and 302 force the second member 200 and third member 300 apart, andso on (not shown). Combined, the multi-layered magnetic device exhibitsa dynamic plurality of magnetic flux lines at an application surface304′ when the layers are pressed together and then released, asdiscussed above.

While the present invention has been described with regards toparticular embodiments, it is recognized that additional variations ofthe present invention may be devised without departing from theinventive concept.

What is claimed is:
 1. A multi-layer magnetic therapeutic device for useon a mammal, comprising: a first sheet having a first mating face thathas a plurality of protrusions; and a second sheet having a secondmating face that has one or more internal edges that define a pluralityof receiving zones for pairing with the plurality of protrusions of thefirst mating face; wherein at least a portion of the first mating facehas a first magnetic pattern and wherein at least a portion of thesecond mating face has a second magnetic pattern such that, when theprotrusions of the first mating face are matched with the receivingzones of the second mating face, at least one region of the firstmagnetic pattern faces at least one region of the second magneticpattern of like polarity thereby creating a repulsive force between thefirst and second sheets.
 2. A device as in claim 1 wherein the firstmagnetic pattern extends across at least one of the protrusions so thatthe magnetic pattern on the face of the protrusion contributes to themagnetic pattern of the application surface.
 3. A device as in claim 1wherein there are two or more protrusions and two or more receivingzones so that, when the protrusions are received in the receiving zones,the first sheet cannot move relative to the second sheet in a planegenerally parallel to a plane defined by the second mating face.
 4. Adevice as in claim 1 wherein the protrusions loosely fit within thereceiving zones such that the receiving zones can move along theprotruding dimension of the protrusions.
 5. A device as in claim 1wherein the protrusions loosely fit within the receiving zones such thatthe protrusions can move in the receiving zones.
 6. A device as in claim5 wherein the movement of the protrusions in the receiving zone is adirection generally perpendicular to the second mating face.
 7. A devicefor therapeutic use on a mammal, comprising: a first member having aplurality of protrusions, and a second member having a plurality ofreceiving zones for aligning with the plurality of protrusions of thefirst member, wherein at least a portion of the first member has a firstmagnetic pattern and wherein at least a portion of the second member hasa second magnetic pattern such that, when the protrusions are alignedwith the receiving zones, at least one region of the first magneticpattern faces at least one region of the second magnetic pattern of likepolarity thereby repulsing one another.
 8. A device as in claim 7wherein the first magnetic pattern extends across at least one of theprotrusions so that the magnetic pattern on the face of the protrusioncontributes to the magnetic pattern of the application surface.
 9. Adevice as in claim 7 wherein there are two or more protrusions and twoor more receiving zones so that when the protrusions are received in thereceiving zones, the first sheet cannot move relative to the secondsheet in a plane generally parallel to a plane defined by the secondmating face.
 10. A device as in claim 7 wherein the protrusions looselyfit within the receiving zones such that the receiving zones can movealong the protruding dimension of the protrusions.
 11. A device as inclaim 7 wherein the protrusions loosely fit within the receiving zonessuch that the protrusions can move in the receiving zones.
 12. A deviceas in claim 11 wherein the movement of the protrusions in the receivingzone is a direction generally perpendicular to the second mating face.13. A method for forming a device for use on a mammal, comprising:inducing a first magnetic pattern on a first sheet, said first sheethaving a plurality of keying features, inducing a second magneticpattern on a second sheet, said second sheet having a plurality ofreceiving features, mating the plurality of keying features on the firstsheet with the plurality of receiving features on the second sheetwhereby a portion of the first magnetic pattern comes into repulsivemagnetic communication with a portion of the second magnetic pattern,and producing thereby a therapeutically effective plurality of magneticflux lines at an application surface of the device.
 14. A method as inclaim 13 wherein the plurality of magnetic flux lines varies as thedistance between the first and second sheets varies.
 15. A method as inclaim 13 wherein the first magnetic pattern extends across at least oneof the keying features so that the magnetic pattern on the face of thekeying feature contributes to the magnetic pattern of the applicationsurface.
 16. A method as in claim 13 wherein there are two or morekeying features and two or more receiving features so that when thekeying features are received in the receiving features, the first sheetcannot move relative to the second sheet in a plane generally parallelto a plane defined by the second mating face.
 17. A method as in claim13 wherein the keying features loosely fit within the receiving featuressuch that the receiving features can move generally perpendicular to aplane defined by the application surface.
 18. A method as in claim 13wherein the keying features loosely fit within the receiving featuressuch that the keying features can move in the receiving features.
 19. Amethod as in claim 18 wherein the movement of the keying features in thereceiving features is a direction generally perpendicular to the secondmating face.
 20. A method for forming a device for use on a mammal,comprising: placing a first magnetized sheet beside a second magnetizedsheet; aligning a plurality of keying features on the first sheet with aplurality of receiving features on the second sheet; causing thereby atleast one region of the first magnetic pattern to face at least oneregion of the second magnetic pattern of like polarity; and producing atherapeutically effective plurality of magnetic flux lines at anapplication surface of the device wherein the plurality of magnetic fluxlines varies as the distance between the first and second sheets varies.21. A method for producing a therapeutically effective plurality ofmagnetic flux lines at an application surface of a device in which theplurality of magnetic flux lines varies with compression of the device,comprising: placing a first magnetized sheet beside a second magnetizedsheet; and aligning a plurality of protrusion on the first sheet with aplurality of receiving zones on the second sheet; thereby causing atleast one region of the first magnetic pattern to repulse a facing atleast one region of the second magnetic pattern, wherein a plurality ofmagnetic flux lines at an application surface of the device will vary asthe distance between the first and second sheets varies.
 22. A methodfor producing a therapeutically effective plurality of magnetic fluxlines at an application surface of a device in which the plurality ofmagnetic flux lines varies with compression of the device, comprising:placing the device adjacent to a region of the body of a user; andapplying pressure to the device, said pressure varying in time; therebycausing a first and second sheet within the device to move closertogether, said first and second sheets being initially separated by amagnetically repulsive force but aligned by a plurality of protrusionson the first sheet and a plurality of mating receiving zones on thesecond sheet; thereby causing a strength and direction of the magneticflux lines at an application surface of the device to vary in time.